Falcons Win 3-2 in Shootout Versus Portland

Published on February 18, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. – For the sixth time in seven meetings between the clubs this season, the Springfield Falcons and Portland Pirates needed extra time to settle a hockey game. The Falcons prevailed 3-2 in a shootout at the Springfield Civic Center on Friday night to post their fourth win of the campaign over Portland. Forwards Ryan Craig and Derek Bekar each scored in regulation for the Falcons while goaltender Brian Eklund stopped 42 of 44 shots.

The Falcons pressured early in the game and outshot the Pirates, 11-3, in the first period. New addition Mike Bayrack nearly scored on his first shift as a Falcon after center Craig Darby set him up in the slot. However, netminder Maxime Ouellet made a pad save on the one-timer by Bayrack.

Seven minutes into the second period, Craig tipped a slap shot from the left point by rookie defenseman Doug O'Brien into the top corner of the net for a power-play goal that provided the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The marker was Craig's team leading 19th of the season. Left wing Adam Henrich also assisted on the goal.

Portland capitalized on a Falcons turnover to tie the game 4:20 later. Right wing Boyd Gordon finished the play by netting his 14th tally of the season after receiving a pass across the slot from rookie center Jakub Klepis.

The Falcons regained the advantage 15 seconds into the third period when Bekar scored his fourth goal of the season. Left wing Nikita Alexeev deflected a wrist shot from the right point by defenseman Brian Chapman. Ouellet made the first save, but Alexeev tapped the rebound across the crease to Bekar, who knocked the puck into the back of the net.

Eklund protected the lead as the Pirates threatened for the equalizing goal while peppering the Falcons netminder with 22 shots during the final frame.

Following a holding penalty issued to Bekar, Portland managed to pull even with 1:54 left in regulation. Trent Whitfield redirected a shot from the right point by Brian Sutherby to make the score, 2-2. The goal was Whitfield's 11th of the season.

During overtime, the Falcons were forced to kill off a minor penalty for high sticking assessed to Henrich, but neither team tallied in the session.

Henrich and Alexeev each connected on their attempts in the shootout, while Eklund stopped all four chances by the Pirates to post his eighth win of the campaign.

The Falcons finished the game one for two with the man advantage. Portland scored once on three power plays.

Ouellet left the game for Portland with 7:10 remaining in regulation. The netminder appeared to be injured during a pile up in the Portland crease. Ouellet stayed in the game following the play, but called for athletic trainer Angel Soutuyo a couple minutes later and was replaced by Kirk Daubenspeck.

The Falcons will return to the home ice of the Civic Center on Saturday night to face the rival Hartford Wolf Pack. Limited tickets remain for the contest. To purchase tickets, visit the Springfield Civic Center box office, call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602 to order by phone, or log onto www.falconsahl.com to order tickets online.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2005


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